Gobi Manchurian

Got fresh cauliflower from the vegetable shop today. I've been wanting to make crispy deep fried golden brown Gobi Manchurian for a long time. Somehow, even last time when I bought  Cauliflower I never got to make them .I made sweet corn Paneer Veg curry instead. 

The cauliflower was stashed away to a far end of the pantry with newer supplies taking the front row seats . I forgot about the cauliflower. When I finally remembered 2 days later the cauliflower was not good enough, not as fresh. So this time when I bought them  I made Manchurian the same day itself.

Being indo Chinese it’s on everybody’s favourite list and a great starter too. Crunchy golden brown fried cauliflower florets sauted in  the sauces can go well with chapathis or fried rice…

I can have a plateful in one go...take one then  dip it  into the sauces ...crunch ,smack......there you go.... the plate is empty in seconds...In my case atleast......

Here is the recipe....

Ingredients

Capsicum-1/2-1 medium sized

Cauliflower-1 medium sized

Spring onion -1/4 cup

Onions-1/4 cup (optional)

Minced garlic-11/2 tbsp

Minced ginger- 2 ½ tbsp.

Green chilli-1-2 chopped

Red chilli powder- 1 tsp

Tomato sauce-3-2 tbsp

Soya Sauce-11/2 tbsp

Oil-1/2 tbsp

Green chilli sauce-1/2 tbsp

Vinegar-1 tsp

Pepper-1/2-1 tsp

Maida/all purpose flour-1/4 cup

Cornflour-1/4 cup

Rice flour-1/2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Ginger garlic paste + green chilli paste-1 tbsp

Water-1/2 cup approx.

Baking soda-1/2 tsp

Method

Cut cauliflower into small florets. Soak in hot salt water for 10-15 minutes.

Par boil florets in salted water over medium flame for 3-4 minutes. After boiling drain off excess water and pat dry florets on tissue paper.

Mix flour, corn flour, rice flour,baking soda, salt, red chilli powder, ginger garlic green chilli paste with water to form a paste

Dip the florets in the mixture, so that it coats the florets well and set aside for 15-20 minutes.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add the coated florets and cook over reduced flame till Gobi is cooked, crisp and golden brown in colour. Do not over crowd the vessel.

Drain of excess oil from the fried florets using a tissue paper.

Heat oil in a large wok. Once piping hot add chopped garlic and stir fry for a few seconds.

Add chopped ginger and green chilli and stir fry on high for a few seconds.

Reduce heat .Add onions and sauté well.

Add spring onion whites and stir fry on high for 3-4 minutes constantly tossing them.

Add sliced capsicum and stir fry for 3 minutes. They should retain the crunch.

Reduce to medium heat. Add pepper, soya sauce, tomato ketchup, chilli sauce, vinegar.

Combine and cook well and cook for 2 minutes. Add 3-4 tbsp of water and cook for 2 minutes.

Add deep fried Gobi. Toss in high flame for 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat

Garnish with chopped spring onion greens and serve hot.

Notes

Donot keep deep fried cauliflower florets idle for a long time. They will lose the crunch. Make the Manchurian a few minutes before serving.

You can add a tsp of brown sugar with the sauces.